London to Rome by Train: A European Interrail Trip
I travelled from London to Rome by train, crossing seven countries by rail, from Paris and the Alps to a sleeper train into Italy. Find out more about the route, the planning, and what it’s really like to travel slowly through Europe.
In July 2023, my daughter and I left our front door in the Midlands on foot and didn’t return for two weeks.
There was just one rule: no cars allowed.
What followed was an unforgettable Interrail journey from London to Rome by train, taking in Paris, the Alps, Austria, a sleeper train to Italy, the Cinque Terre, and finally the Eternal City.
In total, we took eight long-distance trains, travelled through seven countries, and covered roughly 1,200 miles – all powered by an Interrail Global Pass.
This article tells the story of the entire journey, from start to finish.
If you’re planning something similar – or just dreaming about slow travel through Europe – it’s designed to give you the big picture, with links to the detailed guides for each leg along the way.
Why Interrail?
For anyone unfamiliar, an Interrail pass allows unlimited train travel across Europe within a set timeframe.
For us, it offered three things we really valued:
- The freedom to cross borders without airports
- The chance to turn the journey itself into the adventure
- A more relaxed, sustainable way to travel with a child
It did take planning – this was my first trip of this scale – but the payoff was huge.
Trains dropped us straight into city centres, scenery unfolded outside the window, and distances that look intimidating on a map became manageable, even enjoyable.
The Route at a Glance
Our journey broke naturally into three parts:
- London → Paris
- Paris → Switzerland & Austria (via the Alps)
- Austria → Italy (by sleeper train), ending in Rome
Each section has its own dedicated article with detailed planning advice, accommodation, costs, and things to do. This guide connects them all.
Part One: London to Paris – The Adventure Begins
Read the full article: London to Paris: Starting an Epic Interrail Trip to Rome
We started in familiar territory – a train to London, then Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, arriving in just over two hours. It was my first time on Eurostar, and a genuinely exciting way to begin.
Paris was our warm-up: two days exploring landmarks, riding the metro, walking endlessly, and easing ourselves into travel mode.
Despite near-constant rain, it felt like the right pace – enough time to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and simply wander.
This first leg also covers:
- How I planned the trip
- Which Interrail pass we chose (and why)
- How reservations and supplements really work
- What I’d do differently next time
It sets the foundation for everything that followed.
Part Two: Crossing the Alps by Train
Read the full article: Exploring the Alps by Train: Zurich, Innsbruck, and Salzburg
Leaving Paris, the scenery shifted dramatically.
A high-speed TGV Lyria carried us to Zurich, where we paused just long enough to wander the old town and sit by the impossibly clear Limmat River.
From there, the train climbed into the Alps towards Innsbruck – one of the most unexpectedly brilliant stops of the trip.
Innsbruck was compact, dramatic, and instantly likeable. We rode funiculars, stood atop the Bergisel Ski Jump watching athletes fly into the void, and soaked up alpine views in every direction.
Salzburg followed: elegant, musical, and full of character.
We spent several days there, exploring the old town, visiting Hohensalzburg Fortress, wandering Mirabell Gardens, and (inevitably) taking The Sound of Music tour – with mixed but memorable results.
This middle leg of the trip is all about:
- Scenic slow travel rail routes through the Alps
- Choosing trains wisely (and cheaply)
- Short city stops that really work
- Why Austria deserves more time than people give it
Part Three: A Sleeper Train to Italy
Read the full article: Discover Italy by Train: Catch the Nightjet for Italian Adventures
The final few days was my favourite part of the whole journey.
Instead of burning a full day travelling south, we boarded an ÖBB Nightjet sleeper train in Salzburg and went to bed in Austria, waking up in Italy.
Overnight, we covered more than 670km – a perfect example of why night trains are having a renaissance.
By mid-morning, we were stepping off the train in Monterosso al Mare, in the Cinque Terre. After busy cities and constant movement, three nights by the sea felt exactly right: beaches, swimming, washing clothes, pizza, gelato, repeat.
From there, a high-speed train carried us south to Rome, where we slowed down again. Four days exploring ancient history, fountains, piazzas, and neighbourhoods felt like a fitting end to a journey that had steadily built momentum across Europe.
This final section covers:
- How sleeper trains actually work
- Cabin types, costs, and booking tips
- Why Cinque Terre makes a perfect mid-trip pause
- Getting around Italy easily by train
Was It Worth It?
Absolutely.
Travelling from London to Rome by train wasn’t always cheaper than flying, and it certainly wasn’t effortless. There were reservations to book, supplements to pay, and timetables to triple-check.
But what we gained was something flights can’t offer:
- A sense of scale and connection between places
- Time together that wasn’t rushed or fragmented
- Memories built between destinations, not just at them
We didn’t just arrive in Italy – it really felt as though we earned it, mile by mile.
Read the Full Series
If you want the full detail, practical advice, and honest reflections, you can follow the journey in order here:
- Part 1: London to Paris: Starting an Epic Interrail Trip to Rome
- Part 2: Exploring the Alps by Train: Zurich, Innsbruck, and Salzburg
- Part 3: Discover Italy by Train: Catch the Nightjet for Italian Adventures
If this trip inspires you to plan your own – even a shorter version – then Track Traveller has done its job.
And yes… I’d do it all again.
